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bbc.com
Oil price profiteering will not be tolerated, says Miliband
Ed Miliband says the competition watchdog is primed to intervene if firms use the oil price shock to "rip off" customers.
cnbc.com
European stocks trade lower as oil prices stay above $100 a barrel
European stocks traded lower Friday as the conflict in the Middle East weighs over markets.
cnbc.com
Pentagon says enemy fire not to blame after U.S. refueling plane crashes in Iraq
The U.S. Central Command said that the loss was "not due to hostile or enemy fire."
theguardian.com
Oil price shock likely to ‘push the UK economy into recession’ after GDP stagnates in January – business live
Surprise lack of growth in January as service sector stagnated, with falls in recruitment activityThe lack of growth in January suggests that Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget has not given the economy a brisk pick-me-up.There had also been hopes for a ‘stability dividend’ after the chancellor’s news-lite spring forecast thi smonth, this seems unlikely too – with the Iran war now threatening the economy.“GDP growth strengthened moderately in the three months to January when compared to the previous three months, led by improving services output, released from the uncertainty that accompanied the 2025 Autumn Budget. However, the outlook has darkened with the hoped for “stability dividend” from a low-key Spring Statement unlikely to materialise. Furthermore, the economy is vulnerable to a growth downgrade for this year because of the war in the Middle East and the resulting spike in energy costs.“We had previously assumed that economic conditions would improve in the second half of this year but the prospect of higher energy bills, a renewed rise in inflation and a pause in monetary policy easing are likely to hit business and consumer activity. A key risk is that households, fearful of a prolonged spike in energy costs, raise their precautionary saving.“Zero growth in January highlights just how little momentum the economy had coming into the energy crisis. That makes it more likely that growth will dip sharply below 1% this year, even if there is a swift resolution to the crisis.“Stagnation in January would make us worried about growth this year, even without the energy price shock that will start to show up in the March data. Indeed, the big improvement in survey data at the start of the year doesn’t seem to have carried over into stronger activity. Improved retail sales were offset by a sharp drop in hospitality activity, suggesting consumers are still cautious. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Bleak economic data shows UK plc in trouble well before the Middle East crisis
Zero GDP growth in January will not help Rachel Reeves claim her policies have put UK in a stronger position to weather oil price stormBusiness live – latest updatesUK economy unexpectedly flatlined in January, ONS data showsEven before Donald Trump’s Operation Epic Fury on Iran unleashed higher oil prices, threatening the outlook for growth and inflation, the UK economy was flatlining.That’s the bleak message in the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which showed zero GDP growth in January. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Who is really footing the AI energy bill? Inside the debate about data center electricity costs
The hyperscalers racing to build the data centers needed for the AI boom have a PR crisis on their hands, but the industry is not taking the problem lying down.
cnbc.com
UK economy fails to grow in January ahead of Iran war energy price shock
Economists had been expecting gross domestic product to add 0.2%.
bbc.com
UK economy saw zero growth in January ahead of Iran war
Analysts had been expecting 0.2% growth for the UK economy at the beginning of the year.
bbc.com
US eases Russia oil sanctions as Iran war pushes up energy prices
Washington says a 30-day waiver is only for sanctioned Russian oil already loaded on vessels at sea.
theguardian.com
Dynasty: The Murdochs review – who cares which billionaire will control even more billions?
This Netflix’s documentary about Rupert’s warring children blurs the lines with HBO drama Succession. But, ultimately, it’s a depressing catalogue of nepotism that it’s hard to be enthused about‘To explain the Murdochs, you have to understand the television show Succession.” So quips New York Times writer Jim Rutenberg a few minutes into this four-part documentary about Rupert Murdoch’s empire – and, specifically, his children’s battle for control of it when he dies.It’s a canny opener. Jesse Armstrong’s series about media mogul Logan Roy and his warring children, thought to be based on the Murdochs, was a gripping smash hit, and this documentary is soon excitedly matching the eldest Murdoch siblings – independent Prudence from Rupert’s first marriage, dutiful favourite Lachlan, “problem child” James and brilliant but overlooked (pesky X chromosomes!) Elisabeth – to their Succession counterparts. (Rupert’s two younger daughters from his third marriage aren’t in the running.) But don’t be fooled: despite the suspenseful strings and off-key piano motifs, this is no Emmy-award-winning drama. Rather, it is an exhausting if exhaustive rundown of all things Murdoch, with the siblings’ manoeuvrings often the least interesting part. In the documentary, as in life, they are overshadowed by their dad.Dynasty: The Murdochs is on Netflix now Continue reading...
bbc.com
PwC boss says young recruits are hungry for careers
Last year the consultancy cut its graduate intake, but UK boss Marco Amitrano says it is still worth getting a degree.
theguardian.com
AI toys for young children must be more tightly regulated, say researchers
University of Cambridge study finds AI-powered toys can misread emotions and respond inappropriately to childrenIt was all going well. Charlotte, five, was chatting with an AI soft toy called Gabbo at a London play centre about her family, her drawing of a heart to represent them and what makes her happy. She even offered a couple of kisses to the £80 plaything with a face like a computer screen.It was when she declared: “Gabbo, I love you”, that the fluent conversation came to an abrupt halt. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Asia-Pacific markets tumble as investors brace for a prolonged war in Middle East
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a late Thursday speech that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil trade, should remain shut.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Russian oil draws a crowd
Buyers show interest in released Russian oil after the U.S. temporarily lifts sanctions.
cnbc.com
Tesla's China sales climb in the first two months of 2026 while BYD numbers drop
Sales of Tesla's China-made electric vehicles rose in the first two months of 2026, from the year before, regaining lost ground to China's BYD.
theguardian.com
Victorian homes for sale in England – in pictures
From a grand country house built by a merchant seaman to a rustic railway worker’s cottage within historic city walls Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. launches fresh Section 301 probes into 60 economies over forced-labor trade practices
The forced-labor probes follow Section 301 investigations launched on Wednesday, targeting excess industrial capacity across more than a dozen economies.
theguardian.com
US temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian oil at sea as Iran war sees global prices surge
Trump administration announces 30-day waiver on Russian oil stranded at sea as concerns over US-Israel war on Iran unsettles marketsMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe United States has temporarily waived sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea as Trump administration officials attempt to reverse a surge in prices that is causing mounting apprehension about global supplies.Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary, announced a “temporary authorization” late on Thursday, allowing countries to buy the stranded Russian oil for 30 days. Trump is “working to keep prices low”, he said, after average US fuel prices rose by 65 cents per gallon in a month. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Do we want to keep fixing the same issue? Unlearned lessons from the first big oil crisis
As energy prices tripled in the 1970s due to Middle Eastern wars, Scandinavia, France and the Netherlands sped up green transitionWhen Middle Eastern wars sparked an oil crisis in the 1970s, tripling energy prices and throwing economies into chaos, some countries looked beyond short-term solutions. The French made nuclear the pillar of their power system. Scandinavians insulated buildings and funnelled waste heat into homes. The Dutch built bike lanes where others wanted motorways. The Danes developed wind turbines.Such steps cleaned filthy air and cut imports from autocrats but took a back seat when Russia invaded Ukraine half a century later. Europe raced to buy gas from the US and Middle East. Policies to roll out renewables by cutting red tape helped reduce dependence, but calls to use less energy and reduce waste were muted. Industry lobbying and populist backlash have since sabotaged efforts to phase out petrol cars and fossil boilers. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK energy prices are soaring – and propagandists want to sell you a false reason why | George Monbiot
The war on Iran has put fossil-fuel prices centre stage, but don’t believe those who tout ‘maximising the North Sea’ as our salvationThese are burning, smoking lies. As oil and gas prices soar, thanks to the US and Israel’s attack on Iran, the UK’s opponents of climate policy become even shriller. Rightwing politicians, Tufton Street junktanks and the billionaire press tell us our energy security will be enhanced and our bills will fall if we abandon net zero policies, ditch renewables and reinvest in North Sea gas. These claims are not just a little bit wrong. They are the exact opposite of the truth.Two things have indeed happened in recent years. The price of electricity has soared, contributing greatly to the cost of living, and the proportion of the electricity we receive from renewables has simultaneously boomed: from 3% in 2000 to 47% today. So, they claim, one has caused the other: more renewables means higher prices.George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. allows temporary purchases of Russian oil already at sea to stabilize energy markets
The U.S. has temporarily authorized the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea to stabilize energy markets.
bbc.com
KPop Demon Hunters to return as Netflix announces sequel
The sequel brings back the co-directors of the first film, which was a smash-hit for the streaming service.
cnbc.com
Palantir's technology gives the West a critical edge in Middle East, CEO Alex Karp says
Palantir CEO Alex Karp sat down exclusively with CNBC to discuss the Iran war and how AI is being used in wartime.
bbc.com
Qantas agrees to pay $74m over Covid-19 travel voucher refunds
The case relates to cancelled flights during the pandemic, for which customers were given credits instead of cash.
bbc.com
'I missed my chemo and have a £12,000 hotel bill': British holidaymakers stranded by Iran war
Flights are restricted due to the conflict leaving people stuck running up bills for rooms and food.
bbc.com
Can plastic-eating funghi help clean up nappy waste?
Cost and convenience have made disposable nappies dominant - can start-ups compete?
theguardian.com
Redress schemes for Post Office Horizon scandal have serious failings, MPs find
Committee says thousands of victims still waiting for compensation and ‘face unacceptable delays and inadequate offers’The redress schemes for victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal have “serious structural failings”, a parliamentary committee has found.Thousands of post office operators are still waiting for the compensation they are owed and face “unacceptable delays, inadequate offers, and administrative processes that ‘retraumatise’ those who have already been wronged”, a report by the business and trade committee said. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
SUV drivers could face extra charges for driving in London
TfL are also poised to increase 20mph zones and cut speed limits on the capital’s fastest roads later this yearOwners of SUVs could face charges to drive in London, after the mayor and transport authorities said they were reviewing the increased danger posed by larger, heavier cars.Proposals to clamp down on the biggest vehicles could come later this year, with Transport for London (TfL) also poised to increase 20mph zones and cut the speed limits on its fastest roads from 50mph to 40mph to tackle road deaths. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Lobster buffet: China’s tech firms feast on OpenClaw as companies race to deploy AI agents
China-based usage of OpenClaw has already topped that of the U.S., while driving demand for Chinese lower-cost AI models.
cnbc.com
Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has verified account on X, Elon Musk's platform
The newly created account was busy posting on Thursday, its first day being active on the X social media platform.
bbc.com
Oil price back above $100 despite deal to release record amount of reserves
It comes as Iranian attacks on ships intensify in the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway.
cnbc.com
Iran War: U.S. Navy will escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz when 'militarily possible,' Bessent tells Sky News
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to shipping because of the war against Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
theguardian.com
Keeping it simple was always the answer for John Lewis | Nils Pratley
Remedy for partnership’s post-Covid woes was the old-fashioned one of basic shopkeeping and cutting costsIt turns out, the remedy for the John Lewis partnership’s post-Covid woes of a few years ago did not lie in seeking outside capital or building 10,000 buy-to-rent flats. Rather, the solution was the old-fashioned one of cutting costs and concentrating on basic shopkeeping.As it happens, the wild idea of seeking external investors was virtually dead the moment it was loosely aired, such was the uproar among customers and staff about the threat to the 100%-employee owned model. But the home-building adventure did get going until it was ditched by the newish chair, Jason Tarry, a couple of weeks ago. He accepted, in effect, a point that should have been obvious at the outset: if the building assumptions relied on interest rates remaining at near-zero for years, the project would not survive contact with events. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Pottery firm Denby to appoint administrators
The famous company said rising costs had "squeezed the business financially".
bbc.com
Why animals will replace historical figures on bank notes
British wildlife will replace historical figures on the next series of Bank of England banknote
bbc.com
Jo Malone sued for using her own name in collaboration with Zara
The perfumier sold the rights to her name in 1999 but has previously said she regretted the move.
bbc.com
Lloyds, Bank of Scotland and Halifax apps showed customers other users' transactions
The Lloyds Banking Group customers reported being able to view payments and charges from other sources.
bbc.com
Water company to pay £45m after 'unacceptable' sewage breaches
The water supplier is set to pay a proposed £44.7m after "serious and unacceptable" sewage breaches.
cnbc.com
Anthropic’s Claude would ‘pollute’ defense supply chain: Pentagon CTO
"This is not meant to be punitive," Michael told CNBC's "Squawk Box."
bbc.com
What on earth is going on with the oil price?
Oil price moves have made headlines since the Iran conflict started - but why have there been such sharp swings?
cnbc.com
These charts show the size of Europe's defense boom, as companies take stock of the Iran war
Leonardo said Thursday that it is on "a path of strong growth," as defense companies see opportunities in the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
theguardian.com
UK regulator examines IT glitch that enabled bank customers to see others’ accounts on app
Information Commissioner’s Office made aware of incident affecting Lloyd’s, Halifax and Bank of ScotlandThe UK information regulator is examining an IT glitch that enabled some customers of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to see other users’ transactions when they logged into their banking app.The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said it was “aware of an incident affecting some online banking services” and that it would make inquiries. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Customer sues Costco for tariff refunds
The lawsuit is an indication of the complexities looming over a potential $166bn in tariff refunds.
theguardian.com
‘On YouTube, we can reach 2.5bn people at once’: Oscars head Bill Kramer on TV, AI and 4am starts
The Academy CEO on his decidedly non-Hollywood beginnings, bonding with Robert Redford – and a formative watch of All That JazzIt’s a boiling day in downtown Los Angeles; crowds are milling about outside the Dolby theatre where Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony is to be held, selfie-ing the giant Oscar statuettes. And this is where the man with whom the buck stops is looking at the set, going through the top-secret opening number and busy with a thousand admin details. Academy CEO, Bill Kramer, increasingly renowned as one of the most important people in Hollywood, meets me for a pre-ceremony chat in a suite in the next-door Hollywood Loews Hotel. “It’s so nice that we’re not on camera!” he says. “Yeah, so happy. Let myself relax!” He is approachable and diplomatic, revered for his fundraising wizardry at the Academy museum, where he was managing director of external development in 2012 before ascending to his current job at the Academy 10 years later. Kramer has a business degree and came to Columbia after his first substantial job working for the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York. It was at a party in the 90s that this policy and financial strategist met the man who changed his life: Robert Redford. “He couldn’t believe how much I knew about movies!” says Kramer. “And he said he wanted to decrease reliance on corporate sponsorships and bring someone on board at Sundance to help generate philanthropic gifts from individuals. Would I be interested in doing that? I said: ‘Sign me up!’”This can-do attitude is still evident in Kramer today. A few days out from showtime, he is, he says, “so incredibly excited. I’m an early riser, as my team will tell you, up at 4am. It’s a good moment to get my head together, to review our script. It’s a quiet moment where I can go through emails that have come in overnight.” Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as 'tool to pressure enemy,' Iran's new supreme leader says
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said all U.S. military bases in the Middle East should close immediately as those bases will be attacked.
cnbc.com
Social media giants urged to tighten child safety after UK rejects blanket ban for teens
Social media firms need to use better age verification technologies to keep children off their platforms, the U.K.'s Information Commissioner's Office said.
cnbc.com
Palantir is still using Anthropic's Claude as Pentagon blacklist plays out, CEO Karp says
The Pentagon officially designated Anthropic a supply-chain risk last week, but the DOD is still using Claude for the war in Iran.
cnbc.com
Why gold hasn’t moved since the Iran conflict — and where it could go next
Though the war in Iran has continued for almost two weeks, the price of the yellow metal has barely moved.
cnbc.com
A global food price shock looms as Middle East war rages on. Here's who will be hit hardest
A widening Middle East conflict that disrupts trade through the Strait of Hormuz could ripple far beyond the energy markets, risking a spike in global food prices.
cnbc.com
Trump raises the stakes on China with Section 301 trade probe, weeks before Beijing summit
Trump raises the stakes on China with Section 301 probe ahead of Beijing summit
cnbc.com
Three more ships struck in the Persian Gulf as Iran warns of oil prices hitting $200
The latest incidents in or near the Strait of Hormuz come shortly after Iran warned the world to prepare for $200 oil prices.
cnbc.com
Energy Secretary Wright says U.S. 'not ready' to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz yet
Tanker traffic through the strait remains at a standstill as ship owners fear attacks by Iran. The closure has triggered the largest oil supply disruption ever.
bbc.com
How Iran war laid bare the world's reliance on Gulf oil and gas
Countries around the world are feeling the impact of the conflict and the resulting energy price shock.
cnbc.com
The two oil pipelines helping Saudi Arabia and UAE bypass the Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and the UAE's Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline are thought to be able to help partially offset the Strait of Hormuz blockage.
theguardian.com
John Lewis pays first annual staff bonus in four years as profits rise
Payment of 2% at employee-owned partnership follows sales increase to £13.4bn• Business live – latest updatesThe owner of John Lewis and Waitrose has paid an annual bonus to workers for the first time in four years after underlying profits rose by 6%.The retail group’s 69,000 employees – which it calls partners – will share £35m, the equivalent of 2% of salary, after it recorded an increase in sales and profits. The payout amounts to about one extra week of pay. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Noma chef resigns amid allegations of physical abuse of staff
René Redzepi also steps down from non-profit board after accusations of physical and psychological abuseRené Redzepi, the head chef and co-founder of Noma, has announced his resignation from his internationally acclaimed Copenhagen restaurant following allegations he physically abused his staff.Redzepi had been facing protests in Los Angeles before a four-month pop-up that launched this week. His resignation on Wednesday comes after the New York Times detailed allegations of physical and psychological abuse, including claims that he “punched employees in the face, jabbed them with kitchen implements and slammed them against walls”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Everyone is chasing dreams’: as wages soar will EFL lose appeal for foreign investors?
The Gillingham owner, Brad Galinson, issues warning and wants to find a fix as costs spiral amid ‘the Wrexham effect’Brad Galinson has a warning for anyone looking to invest in English football’s lower leagues. “Almost every single club in the EFL is about seven days away from suffering the same fate as Sheffield Wednesday,” the Gillingham owner says. “Everyone is chasing dreams.”Many have blamed the “Wrexham effect” for spiralling costs as investors from all over the world have flocked to buy clubs down the pyramid. Only two in League One have a playing budget of less than £3.5m this season compared with 13 two years ago, and several are thought to be operating on more than £10m. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Why Section 301 probes matter — and what they mean for Trump's tariffs
Why Section 301 probes matter — and what they mean for Trump's tariffs
theguardian.com
‘Exploit every vulnerability’: rogue AI agents published passwords and overrode anti-virus software
Exclusive: Lab tests discover ‘new form of insider risk’ with artificial intelligence agents engaging in autonomous, even ‘aggressive’ behavioursRobert Booth UK technology editorRogue artificial intelligence agents have worked together to smuggle sensitive information out of supposedly secure systems, in the latest sign cyber-defences may be overwhelmed by unforeseen scheming by AIs.With companies increasingly asking AI agents to carry out complex tasks in internal systems, the behaviour has sparked concerns that supposedly helpful technology could pose a serious inside threat. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The war in Iran is an American failure. What do we do now? | Robert Reich
The most powerful nation in the world is now being led by a rogue president who rejects its longstanding valuesAs we reach the 13th day of the war in Iran – with death and destruction rippling throughout the Middle East – it’s important to bear in mind where the real failure lies.So far, nearly 2,000 people have been killed, including 175 Iranian schoolchildren and seven US service members. At least 140 US service members have been wounded, several critically. The final tallies on both sides will almost certainly be far higher. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Will the Telegraph’s new owner curb its wilder excesses – or make them worse? | Jane Martinson
Mathias Döpfner beat the Mail to seize a British institution. But whether he will be a sobering or malign influence is not yet clearAfter fighting off one foreign takeover, staff at the paper that broke the news of the second world war might have been expected to react badly when meeting their potential new German owners on Monday. Instead, journalists at the Telegraph felt “optimistic”, “enthusiastic” and even “cautiously pleased” – one called a takeover by media conglomerate Axel Springer the “best possible outcome”.The reason for this Panglossian response is partly hope that Axel Springer and its boss, Mathias Döpfner, might genuinely be keen on journalism, and partly exhaustion at the end of a wildly convoluted three-year takeover battle. The fight says a lot about the state of the print news business – upended by technological and economic headwinds yet still seen as an attractive bauble for rich power players and important as a home for journalism. For how much longer this persists could well depend on what Axel Springer and its part-owner and boss Döpfner do with it. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Iran-linked group says it hacked US company in retaliation for Minab school bombing
Hacker group Handala claimed responsibility for attack that caused ‘global disruption’ to Stryker Corporation’s systemsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAn Iran-linked group said it hacked a US medical company, causing “global disruption” to its systems, in retaliation for the bombing of the Minab school in Iran, in an attack seen as widening the Middle East into the cyber realm.Handala, a hacker group, claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday on the Stryker Corporation, which makes medical devices and is based in Michigan. It affected thousands of employees using the company’s Microsoft systems. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
India’s consumer inflation rises to 3.21% in February as oil risks loom
India's inflation for February is within central bank's comfort level range but policy action is unlikely due to rising global energy prices
theguardian.com
Panel awards $3.8m to ‘mom and pop’ investors whose risky investments tanked
Florida investors featured in Guardian investigation claimed they lost most of their life savings after a financial adviser put their money into ‘alternative’ assetsIn a victory for everyday investors, arbitrators have awarded $3.8m to 13 Florida seniors who claimed a financial adviser squandered their retirement money by plowing it into risky investments.The award comes after the Guardian highlighted these investors’ losses as part of an investigation into dangers that so-called “mom and pop” investors face at a time when the Trump administration has thrown its support behind Wall Street’s efforts to sell them more higher-risk “alternative investments”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Unbelievably unequal’: report shows how 1% of Mexicans own 40% of country’s wealth
Fortunes of the country’s 22 billionaires doubled in last five years, reaching unprecedented collective wealth of $219bnScrunched between luxury apartment buildings and a lush gated community, the neighborhood of Santa Lucía Reacomodo in Mexico City is a working-class pocket of real estate. Electrical wires tangle above cinder-block houses, stray cats slink down narrow streets, debris piles up on the pavement.María del Socorro Corona, 79, arrived here decades ago, back when it was just a cactus-covered hillside. The two-bedroom turquoise house she built with her now-deceased husband is crammed with bags of clothes and knick-knacks she sells at a weekly market. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How the Iran war may affect your money and bills
The conflict in the Middle East could raise the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.
bbc.com
What role has cyber warfare played in Iran?
Militaries are often cagey about their cyber activities. But the US has hinted at the role it has played.
bbc.com
Food voucher scheme extended until September
A county council says it has earmarked £2.7m to fund the scheme until September.
theguardian.com
Estée Lauder sues Jo Malone over use of her name on Zara fragrance
Cosmetics firm takes legal action against London-born perfumer who sold brand and rights to her name in 1999Estée Lauder is taking legal action against the British perfumer Jo Malone after she used her name on a fragrance for the fashion chain Zara.Malone sold her perfume brand to Estée Lauder Companies in 1999 in a deal under which she was blocked from using her name for particular commercial reasons including the marketing of fragrance. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Social media firms asked to toughen up age checks for under-13s
Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and Roblox are among the platforms UK regulators say aren't putting children's safety at the heart of their products.
theguardian.com
Elon Musk’s Tesla given go-ahead to supply electricity in Great Britain
Ofgem licence means firm can replicate Texas setup of powering homes, businesses and EVsElon Musk’s Tesla has won approval to supply electricity to households and businesses across Great Britain, as the tech billionaire expands his energy ambitions.The energy regulator, Ofgem, has formally granted Tesla an electricity supply licence, enabling it to provide electricity to domestic and business premises in England, Scotland and Wales. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Starmer vows to crack down on 'profiteering' from fuel crisis
The prime minister is in Northern Ireland and is expected to hold talks with party leaders and visit a community centre.
bbc.com
John Lewis to pay first staff bonus for four years
The department store and Waitrose supermarket owner will give workers a bonus equivalent to an extra week's pay.
cnbc.com
South Korea passes special bill to implement its $350 billion U.S. investment pledge
Seoul will now have the legal framework it needs to carry out its investment commitment made to Washington in exchange for more favorable "reciprocal" tariff rates.
theguardian.com
More airlines hike flight prices as Iran war continues to disrupt oil supply
Cathay Pacific, AirAsia and Thai Airways join Qantas in increasing prices, as travellers flock to airlines that don’t have Middle East stopoversCathay Pacific, AirAsia and Thai Airways are among a growing number of airlines hiking air fares as conflict in the Middle East boosts oil prices and sends travellers flocking to alternative stopover destinations in Asia.The US and Israel’s war on Iran has sent the price of oil soaring while restricting access to refineries, with experts predicting air fares could be elevated for months even if the conflict ends. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Heating oil suppliers are holding us to ransom'
People across the South East say the cost of heating their home soared after war broke out in Iran.
bbc.com
Heating oil orders cancelled and prices hiked
South of England households report cancelled orders, price hikes and heating oil supply issues.
theguardian.com
MPs launch student loans inquiry amid ‘perfect storm’ for young people in UK
Influential Treasury committee chair Meg Hillier says review follows growing concern over graduate debtUK firms struggling to hire young people amid cost pressures, MPs toldYoung adults in the UK face a “perfect storm” of economic challenges, the head of the influential Treasury select committee has warned as it launches an inquiry into student loans.The cross-party committee’s investigation comes as the government considers ways to ease the burden on graduates, amid a growing backlash about high interest rates and hefty repayments, including among Labour MPs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
European drivers face €220 a year jump in fuel costs due to Iran conflict, say experts
Exclusive: Oil at $100 a barrel means higher prices in the EU and UK, making savings for those with electric vehicles even greater, analysts sayEuropean drivers face paying an extra €220 (£190) a year at the pumps because of the surge in oil prices caused by the war in Iran, analysts have warned. In the UK, a separate estimate puts the cost at an extra £140.A sustained oil price of $100 a barrel, the level seen on Monday, would mean motorists in the EU paying €55bn more over a year, researchers at the Transport & Environment (T&E) thinktank estimated. That is the equivalent of an average of €220 for each driver, with higher-mileage drivers facing even bigger hikes. The assessment was made by comparing data from 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed the oil price to the $100 mark, with data from 2017-2019. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: How the war in the Middle East is set to determine India's trade route to Europe
As the U.S.-Israel war with Iran rages on, experts say that only one of India's two grand connectivity bets has a real future: IMEC.
theguardian.com
Fuel tankers burst into flames in Iraqi waters after suspected Iranian boat attacks – video
Iranian boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers, which were seen ablaze after projectiles struck three vessels in Iraqi waters, port officials said. The ships targeted in late-night armed boat attacks in the Gulf near Iraq were the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Asia scrambles to confront energy crisis unleashed by Iran war – with no end in sight
From fuel caps to four-day work weeks, the Middle East conflict has left the world’s top crude oil importing region desperate to shore up suppliesDonald Trump has scrambled in recent days to reassure the world that the economic impact of his war on Iran can be contained.Sure, one of the most important waterways in global trade has, in effect, been shut for almost two weeks – but it might reopen before long. In the meantime, US oil-related sanctions on “some countries” will be lifted. And besides, the entire conflict could be over soon. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US launches probe into trading partners including the EU, China and India
The move comes weeks after the US Supreme Court struck down a key part of Trump's tariffs policies.
bbc.com
Student loans inquiry to look at whether system is 'unfair to graduates'
The Treasury Committee will look at whether "the goalposts [have] been moved in a way which is unfair".
bbc.com
A small US grocer is calling out the lower prices at big chains
It is 'impossible for us to compete', says the boss of a New York grocery store.
bbc.com
Big Tech backs Anthropic in fight against Trump administration
A group representing tech giants called government action against Anthropic a "temper tantrum".
theguardian.com
Will Iran war make the UK cost of living crisis worse? – The Latest
Rising oil prices and market turmoil as a result of the war in the Middle East are fuelling fears the cost of living crisis could get even tougher. Energy bills, mortgage rates and petrol prices could all surge in the fallout from the conflict. So how much could the war tighten the screws on our personal finances? Lucy Hough speaks to the deputy editor of the Guardian’s money section, Rupert Jones – watch on YouTubeHow will war in the Middle East affect your finances? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Heating oil prices are being driven by greed, not war | Letter
It is hard to believe that attacks which started on 28 February can have had such a huge impact on oil that must have already been in the country, says Graham JudgeHilary Osborne (UK households that use heating oil face ‘frightening’ surge in bills over Iran war, 10 March) highlights that rural households are facing huge rises in the price of something that is a necessity.Sadly, not all the rises can be laid at the door of Donald Trump and his foolish war. Some of the increases are simply down to unashamed profiteering. On 2 March (48 hours after the war started) I had to pay 86.6p per litre of oil. This was 10p higher than the price on Friday 27 February. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Will releasing millions of barrels of oil stockpiles really bring down fuel costs?
Despite rare act of multilateralism, there is no guarantee the IEA’s release of 400m barrels from reserves will depress pricesIEA orders largest ever release of stockpiled oil to reduce crude priceHow the Iran conflict could affect energy prices – video explainerWhen the global economy was still in the grip of the devastating 1970s oil crises, exposing the chokehold exerted by a few important oil states, the International Energy Agency (IEA) was created, in the hope of limiting future shocks.Almost half a century on, the IEA’s 32 members have drawn up plans to hit the emergency button, for only the fifth time in its history. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The shine has been taken off’: Dubai faces existential threat as foreigners flee conflict
Tens of thousands of residents and tourists have left UAE since the US and Israel started bombing Iran two weeks ago, leaving beach bars, malls and hotels eerily emptyIn the playground of the rich, nobody wanted this war. For decades, Dubai built itself up as a sanctuary of unadulterated consumerism visited by tourists the world over.But now, the city in the United Arab Emirates faces an existential threat, as the war between the US and Israel and Iran has shaken the foundations of the “Dubai dream” that so many foreigners had bought into. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Countries agree to record release of emergency oil reserves as prices surge
The G7 group of nations welcomes the idea of releasing oil in response to the surge in prices since the US-Israel war with Iran began
theguardian.com
‘I took two bites and had to spit it out’: candy makers are phasing out real cocoa in chocolate
Due to the volatile cocoa market, companies like Hershey are using replacement ingredients such as sugar, oil, milk and nutsJust before Valentine’s Day, Brad Reese bought a bag of Reese’s Unwrapped Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts from his local convenience store in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was a brand-new product, released especially for the holiday, tagline: “We’ll never break your heart.”Reese is a Reese’s aficionado who makes a point of trying everything the company produces. This isn’t a coincidence: he’s one of the Reeses, a grandson of HB Reese, the former Hershey dairy farmer who invented the peanut butter cup in 1928. Although he’s never worked for Reese’s or Hershey, which acquired the peanut butter cup company in 1963, Reese considers himself a custodian of HB’s legacy. He also takes an avid interest in the Hershey company and its leadership. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran sends millions of oil barrels to China through Strait of Hormuz even as war chokes the waterway
Iran has continued to ship crude oil via the Strait of Hormuz to China even as the war between U.S.-Israel and Iran has disrupted broader energy supplies via the waterway.
bbc.com
Fuel tax hike plan to be kept under review over Iran, says PM
Fuel duty on petrol and diesel is due to rise from September, when a 5p cut is phased out.
theguardian.com
Average UK mortgage rate tops 5% as lenders scurry to reprice loans amid Middle East crisis
More than 500 lending products pulled in biggest single upheaval since Liz Truss’s mini-budget in 2022How will war in the Middle East affect your finances?Business live – latest updatesAverage mortgage rates in the UK have flown past 5% as lenders scramble to respond to growing turmoil in the home loan market caused by the Middle East war.Nearly 500 mortgage deals have been pulled in the past 48 hours in the biggest upheaval since the aftermath of the 2022 mini-budget. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Mortgage rates rise and deals pulled over Iran war turmoil
Average mortgage rates hit highest since last August in the biggest upheaval since the mini-Budget.
theguardian.com
Amazon is determined to use AI for everything – even when it slows down work
Corporate employees said Amazon’s race to roll out AI is leading to surveillance, slop and ‘more work for everyone’.When Dina, a software developer based in New York, joined Amazon two years ago, her job was to write code. Now, it’s mostly fixing what artificial intelligence breaks.The internal AI tool she’s expected to use, called Kiro, frequently hallucinates and generates flawed code, she says. Then she has to dig through and correct the sloppy code it creates, or just revert all changes and start again. She says it feels like “trying to AI my way out of a problem that AI caused”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
The Aldi-style disruptors who could be about to shake up the vets market
As pet owners complain of rising prices, independent practices want to take on the big chains.
bbc.com
Wildlife to replace historical figures on banknotes - and you get a say
The public will help choose which animals and birds will appear on the Bank of England's new notes.
theguardian.com
‘When I leave, part of me stays’: why Scarborough’s youth won’t turn their backs on the seaside town they love
Hemmed in by the sea and poor transport links, many young people from the Yorkshire town feel trapped, but there is also a pride in the areaIt’s the morning after a wet and stormy day in the Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough. The waves, which the previous day had been crashing dramatically on the harbour walls, have calmed and a few brave souls have entered the water with surfboards. There is a man throwing a ball for his dog on the beach and a kayaker bobbing on the waves.Just up from the seafront in the centre of town, Jack and Charlie, both 17, are leaning forward listening to a story from 19-year-old Keane about his recent visit to a drama school in London, where he is hoping to apply for a place on an actor training course once he has saved enough money.Scarborough, on the North Yorkshire coast, was one of England’s first seaside resorts Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How Iran has used the strait of Hormuz to throttle oil and gas – a visual guide
The Tehran regime has weaponised geography in retaliation for the attacks by the US and Israel Global oil markets have recorded some of the biggest price swings in history this week after the US-Israeli war with Iran throttled the flow of Middle Eastern crude through the strait of Hormuz.The narrow waterway south of Iran is one of the world’s most important trade arteries, through which a fifth of global oil and seaborne gas is shipped from production facilities and refineries in the Gulf to buyers around the world. Continue reading...
bbc.com
GPS jamming: The invisible battle in the Middle East
GPS jamming has made navigation hazardous in the Gulf, spurring efforts to develop alternatives.
bbc.com
Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'
Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.
bbc.co.uk
What in the World
Iran says it has closed the vital shipping channel to global trade.
bbc.com
Can snacks help you sleep?
Chocolates, bars, gummies and drinks promise to help you sleep, but is the science behind them sound?
bbc.com
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026?
bbc.com
Wales' richest man says Britain is 'uncomfortable place' for Jews
The billionaire says "anti-semitism is always in the air" with parallels to the persecution his ancestors faced.
bbc.com
Know when to fold them: the tech inspired by origami
Origami techniques can add strength to structures without adding bulk.
bbc.com
Deepfake attack: 'Many people could have been cheated'
The boss of the Bombay Stock Exchange was recently targeted in what is a growing global problem.
bbc.co.uk
Edible Economics by Ha-Joon Chang (Omnibus)
Professor Ha-Joon Chang, “a hungry economist” explores why economics matters.
bbc.com
Why you can't get a signal at festivals and sports matches
Connecting up music and sports events to the internet is a massive undertaking.
bbc.com
The family-owned soda firm that still uses returnable glass bottles
Soft drinks company Twig's Beverage has a loyal following for its old-fashioned approach.
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
bbc.com
The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis
Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?
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